Kiir forms committee for SPLM leadership meeting

March 5, 2014 (JUBA) - South Sudan president Salva Mayardit has formed a preparatory committee tasked with making the arrangements for an upcoming meeting expected to bring together rival groups within the leadership of the ruling Sudan People’s liberation Movement (SPLM).

The eight-member committee will be primarily responsible for preparing the agenda for the next meeting of the SPLM political committee.

It is not clear what issues the committee will discuss, but multiple sources and officials with direct knowledge of the arrangement have told Sudan Tribune that the focus of the meeting would be on internal reconciliation among the party’s leaders.

Members of the committee loyal to the government were expected to travel to the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa on Wednesday, where a meeting is planned to take place.

The meeting is reportedly facilitated by the ruling parties of Ethiopia (EPRDF) and South Africa (ANC) due to their knowledge of the current crisis in the governing SPLM.

Daniel Awet, a member of the political bureau and close ally of the president, confirmed the formation of the committee and the convening of the high-level meeting.

The planned meeting will be the first official function to bring together rival factions within the SPLM, who have so far struggled to reach an agreement on the agenda at the level of the political bureau since differences emerged.

Luka Biong Deng, a senior member of the SPLM, also confirmed the formation of the committee.

He called on the civil society organisations and other political parties to help set the agenda of the meeting.

“Although the negotiations are stalled, the current focus on the reconciliation within the SPLM is a right move and civil society organisations and other political parties should make sure that their voices are heard in setting the agenda for the SPLM political bureau,” he said.

SACRIFICIAL LAMB

While many have welcomed the emphasis on internal reconciliation as a significant step, several others have expressed scepticism over whether president Kiir would respect the outcome of the meeting.

“The convening of the political bureau meeting is what precipitated the violence. The president himself repeatedly refused to call it, even when influential groups, including respected personalities and religious leaders, emphasised the significance of reconciliation,” a dissident official within the SPLM told Sudan Tribune.

Critics have charged officials surrounding the president of preventing him from listening to the voice of others.

“Kiir does not listen. He has been [so] spoiled by the people around him that he [only] sees with his own eyes. The meeting he is now accepting is what he had been refusing. What purpose will it serve after the loss of thousands of lives of innocent people,” the official said.

However, Deng Awuol, a native of Jonglei state, said the convening of the meeting was necessary because it would enable the country to move forward and ensure the 2015 general elections went ahead without conflict.

“There is no reason to hate each other. I think president Kiir will reflect on the cause of the liberation in which he spent much of his time fighting in the bush. So, I welcome the convening of this meeting if it is true that the president had accepted holding it,” Awuol said on Wednesday.

Analysts and independent observers have welcomed the move, but gave different interpretations, with some calling it an attempt by the government to divide and weaken the strength of the opposition.

“This is the first time I am hearing about it. Anyway, I am not surprised because politics is the art of possibilities. But what I know is that this is an attempt by the government to divide and weaken the strength of the opposition,” said a local political commentator who did not want to be identified.

“You know that Taban Deng Gai, who is now on the committee, has been charged with treason by the government of president Salva Kiir. What does this mean? It means either Taban had been bought off by the government to abandon rebellion and join the government or he is sacrificing Riek Machar and his group,” he added.

However, another commentator said he expected such a development given the background of Gai and army dissident Major Peter Gadet Yak.

“Riek is a sacrificial lamb for the return of Taban to the fold of leadership. He is like General Peter Gadet Yak. If Riek is not careful, they can even kill him to return to the fold of leadership. We saw that in the way Gadet frequently switched sides between Khartoum and several militias and the SPLA (the South Sudan army) during [the] war. Taban went with Riek in [the] 1991 split and later returned [to the then rebel group] before Riek,” another political commentator said on condition of anonymity.

He added that he would not be surprised to see Gai rejoining the government fold “and leave Riek like he did before”.

(ST)

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I wouldn’t react at this stage anyway. Kirr’s group can bribe, cheat and blindfolded those of Taban and his likes, but that will not deter and put into end the rebellion. I hope the agenda would be for Kirr to step down. And then the reconciliation will take off.

OmoniJr!! What about Machar?? We neither need Machar nor Kiir. Both of them are the same. Go away with your tribal comments. We talk South Sudanese language, not either Dinka or Nuer. The death Dinkas and Nuers are good ones period. I don’t care whether they are dieing or surviving. "Idiot"

projecter,
you called me idiot? why you insulted me my dear? tell me one reason,i just pointed my finger to the president of Republic, tell me where my comment hurt you so badly in extent that you lost your tempers????

Mrs. Akiir wants to deceive those of John Luk, Kosti Manibe, Deng Alor and Taban Deng to come back to Juba and kill them (not detain them any more). But who cares, they don’t have military power to decide what is next. We the democratic forces will NEVER accept fake reconciliation under incompetent dictator called Salvatore Kiir. He has to resign first and let the rest pick up the reconciliation!

Thanks to president Kiir for this genuine moved.Taban Gai is the only spear for Riek but now if Taban will accept it we can say Riek is done.I have seen real politic now for my first time since Kiir took power.Go ahead Menth Mayardit.

Omoni Jr!!! I lost my temper because you’re blaming only one person leaving the traitor Machar who doesn’t need something good for South Sudan. As being South Sudanese, no need to base our argument on tribal classes, we are one people and our country i.e S.Sudan not,neither Dinka nor Nuer land alone.

Bravo President Salva Kiir Mayardit of Forming Committe to bring Taban Deng Gai Back to SPLM and let Riakbaai Machar remain alone in the Bush with Alfred Lado ,Ihope you have Achieve the Target now ,we are behind you president and let see the reaction of Taban Deng

Mondit slave,
I can’t see any substance for celebration by you here. Taban deng is not so stupid enough to betray the cause of the rebellion for the Kirr leadership who have kill 10 of thousands by using his own tribesmen and foreign forces to kill indiscriminately on civilians’ target.

I told u guys two days ago on this forum that Taban is coming back, another development is that Lou Nuer elders are blaming their sons for following Rienk instead of standing on their own and seek the presidency through peace mean if any has a interest.They blame the killing of Lou Nuers youth in Jonglei on those of Mar Nyuet, Stephen par and as such those of Mar and convince to abandon Riek’s re.

...rebellion. I am waiting steadily to see what option do those of Mi Diit has, they have been vocal and agent of death since their rebellion came to exist. Now the wise men from Lou have made a decision, it’s it an end to the Riek devilic rebellion?. Let reconcile our communities, we may not bring those who have perished back, but we still restore a hope for which we scarified during the Sudan w

Romi Tot!!! What is your talk about this? If a person come to his senses, just see what is he going to do instead of talking about refusal. You are the people who don’t need peace in S.Sudan together with your Machar.

The committee comprises of Daniel Awet Akot, Paul Mayom, Akol Paul, Jemma Nunu, Deng Alor, John Luk Jok, Kosti Manibe and Taban Deng Gai.
Look here readers how Mr Kiir mess himself , how can he formed a committee when the same Kiir trail in absent three person including Taban Deng Gai.
I think the more Kiir drunk the more he goes crazy with his surrounding thug.
Kinkak

South Sudanese wake against president Kiir is running out of mind how come you he appoint some one whom his government charge him treason less than two months ago.Let us watch this confuse government of Salva Kiir carefully,why he accept the meeting which he turn down several time, after he knew he has killed 10,000 people what a shamful leadership of Dinka Barhelghazal. Oh God help people of S.S

This is what we have been telling you. Kirr is a natural unwise human being, who cannot reason or see the consequences of his action. Are they not feeling embarrassing now to go back to their vomits, things they doesn’t want to listen to? Shamed to Kirr’s Dinka.

This is a mockary.It is not going to work.The members of the community on the rebel side and the third party are no longer under Kiir.This what Kiir does not understand.Let him just make peace with the opposite,not beating around the bush.It is not going to help.

Taban, Machar, and Lado Gore were removed from the SPLM last month through decree from Kiir himself. When did he returned Taban into SPLM? Why reconciliation now when Kiir was the very one refusing to include reconciliation agenda into the liberation council meeting in December. It is just a waste. Taban should focus on regime change and put more energy on the war against the dictator Kiir.

Please Kiir resign first before any reconciliation took place. there will no any fruitful outcome of that committe as long as those Idiot like Daniel Awet, Paul Mayom and Akol Paul, they are the same people who killed Nuer civilians in Juba, they have nothing in their mind except dinkasm in their mind. belief me it is just waste of time and resource

Daniel Awet, Paul Mayom, Akol Paul Kordit! Kiir using people of Rumbek like his underwear after all long time of negligence & destruction to rubble of the once shining Rumbek town even during the bush! Running after crumbling government in the name of Dinka tribe is outdated and never a winning strategy.

Bravooooo, I said it last time that let Kiir organise the SPLM and handover the Government of the people to the people if he want be called a hero.
Now I believe the next will be the convention after the out come of that meeting that will take place around the world.
Be brave Mr. Kiir.

Ahahahaaa...There are some coward scavengers who only HOPE that they will devilish both Kiir and Riek and pick the fruits from the tree shaken by Riek. That will not happen fools. Who do you think will trust you any more. Kiir should resign and rebels form an interim government under the leadership of Dr. Riek Machar. Otherwise, lick your elbows! Ahahahaaaa....

To Mii diit
you are very stupid Dinka Nuer who have been preaching since till u killed innocent civilians in the areas whereby u rebel. Taban Deng, Kosti Manibe are brave guys not like u coward. You are not a fighter but preacher deciple of your nuer tribal leader Riek while South sudanese children are dying thoughtless.stop crying tomorrow u will die no jok we have known who u are.

@MIIRDIT
Riek will never lead this nation Nyigat is like DOG he will die just no doubt. Dinka Nuer are good pple only Dr. Nyanriek Machar a fool dr. like donkey we don’t want him. If no leaders monkey will lead this country not Riek who kills thousands of innocent pple.

Makuen CI
Riek earned a PhD and his thoughts are limited to his perceptions. This are the guys who should have done amazing for this nation considering the huge waste knowledge, one unique thing with learning is that learner with short memory get uneducated as soon as they exit from campus, Riek is not exceptional of this phenomenon. He would have played a cool politics or else resign and joint...

.. Institution of higher learning such as university and remain a scientist, unfortunately he has not got wisdom out of the huge knowledge he has acquired. He would this country should resign from politics.

If true, this is real madness from the side of our president. How can He refused to hear Reak and listen to those of Akol Kur, Marial Chanor and Tilar.
Why has he taken the country back to war when there was truth in what Reak was saying?
Who is going to be hold responsible for all the death that took place in Juba, Bor , Malakal, Bentiu, and the rest of the areas affected?

Kiir’s tribe-mates advisors are killing his govt for real. This conflict is beyond reconciliation and I don’t think some of those guys will make a U-turn very soon to return to Juba while some of their mates are still in detention. Kiir should directly face Dr.Riek if he wants this conflict to be solves through political dialogues instead of wasting his time intentionally try to avoidance Dr. Riek

Kiir should directly face Dr.Riek if he wants this conflict to be solves through political dialogues instead of wasting his time intentionally try to avoidance Dr. Riek. Taban, Luk and many other can freely switch side if they wanted too, but it wouldn’t stop the arm struggle. Many of those Nuer generals were defected because their loves ones were murdered in coldblooded in Juba. Kiir will goes do

Proper reconciliation requires all parties to agree to explore the issues and seek a way forward. First, Kirr has to withdraw all the ridiculous charges and second, he has to apologize for lying to the people of South Sudan and the world about an attempted coup! Kirr also need to let SOuth Sudanese know that this reconciliation is not another way to put him back to power. He needs to step down

H.E, May I say it is not too l!ater for you to seek PSYCHIATRIST advise for possible mental disordering? Besides that, too many decrees!- issued by you are seem to be confusive. How comes that you suspended Taban Deng Gai and charged him & others with treason and again you reappointed him to be one the above committee while he has already been dismissed from the SPLM PARTY? Please obey the laws.

By appointing Taban Deng as one the committee appointed by President means that Kiir has went against his recent decree in which had disMissed from the party and charged them. I thought Kiir decrees were for real but I have admitted that president Kiir ideas are badly driven by intoxications and incompetence frustrations. God damn. Something pathetic indeed.

We need new leadership in South Sudan. The Likes of Taban Deng, Madam Rebecca, Pagan Amum, Deng Biong, Steven Wondu, Barnaba Marial, Mabior Garang, Phillip Aguer, and may others are all presidential material. This meeting better be a hand over meeting and not another recycling project. Kirr must retire

president is working hard to make sure that you people have peace in which you can have your wives and children.when the fighting did not happened, you used to laugh at with your wife in your bedroom or Tukul house.
To smile with your wife again in your house, that is why president wants to see you happy with your family.stupid warmongers. May God strike on you because you have devil hearts.

Salva Kiir illegal Dinka president if for a minute thought that Taban will pay attention to his call, then he must be under the influence of alcohol. for one, Taban is not under Salva Kiir’s jurisdiction so it’s up to Salva to cover the gaps with his Dinka inept advisors and see where he will end up 45 days from now.

Dear all,
Please treat this as deceitful mantra intended to creat suspici0n within the ranks of opposition given that all tactics have been tried including foreign forces but failed.Ine thing seems to be dashing out of minds of these genocidal gangs in Juba that this crisis is no more their so-called SPLM but existential issue to their victims who have nothing to do with that killing machine.

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